Recovering after any auto accident is challenging; however, the situation is particularly complex if you are involved in a multi-car accident. Due to the challenges these incidents present, it is crucial that you hire our experienced Connecticut car accident attorneys from Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers for assistance with your claim.
Multi-car accidents occur when three or more vehicles collide. While it may be cars, it can also be pickup trucks, SUVs, garbage trucks, tractor-trailers, vans, and more.
After multi-vehicle accidents occur, the important question is not about the type of vehicles involved but who or what company is liable (responsible) for the accident.
The Potential Challenges of Multi-Car Accidents
We understand the confusion caused by multi-car accidents and are ready to help accident victims get the compensation they deserve. Some of the most common challenges involved with these incidents include the following:
Determining The Chain of Events in the Accident
The aftermath of a multi-car accident can be confusing, and determining how it occurred is important but difficult. While this is true, it is crucial to determine who is at fault for the incident. It is important to know who is at fault so you know who should pay for your injuries and losses.
Our attorneys will work to determine the chain of events by investigating the accident scene. This includes examining the damage to all vehicles involved, interviewing witnesses, reviewing photos and video footage, and utilizing evidence from other sources.
We can also use the services of an expert accident reconstructionist who can use their knowledge and skills to piece together what happened and how the accident occurred.
Determining the Negligent Driver or Drivers
After determining what occurred, the next step is to find the responsible party or parties. In a two-vehicle accident, there is usually a single victim and a single negligent driver. However, with multi-car accidents, several people may be victims, and several drivers may be negligent.
An example would be if someone speeding ran into the back of an SUV; however, the SUV driver was tailgating your vehicle and hit you after the initial collision. In this situation, the person speeding and tailgating would be considered negligent, and both would be partially responsible for your injuries and losses.
However, if the SUV driver had not been tailgating, but the initial collision was so strong that they could not avoid hitting the back of your vehicle, the speeding driver would likely be the only party liable.
Determining Other Factors That Played a Role in Your Accident
Besides driver negligence, several other factors may contribute to your multi-car accident. Examples include road hazards, vehicle defects, and more. When we begin investigating your accident, a challenge is figuring out if these other factors were at play rather than (or in addition to) driver negligence.
In some situations, these other factors will combine with cases of driver negligence and result in a multi-vehicle accident. An example would be a speeding driver hitting a pothole, resulting in them losing control and hitting several vehicles. Another example is if a distracted driver’s brakes do not work, and they cause a multi-car accident.
Determining Liability
After our team has determined the cause or the causes of a multi-vehicle collision, the next challenge is determining what company or companies are liable. Based on the situation, there are several possibilities, such as:
- Auto insurance companies
- Trucking companies or employees
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Road construction contractors or government authorities
- Dealerships, repair shops, and maintenance shops
These are considered “causal factors” in a multi-vehicle accident and can be used to determine company responsibility and help ensure the proper claim or claims are filed.
Pursuing More Than One Claim (If Needed)
Sometimes, you must file several accident claims against multiple parties for your losses. For example, if you were seriously injured in a multi-vehicle pileup, our investigation may show that two drivers were negligent and a road issue caused the collision.
In this situation, our attorneys can file claims on your behalf based on negligence.
Our Connecticut Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
We understand how confusing it can be to navigate the legal process after a multi-vehicle collision. Our legal team is here to help each step of the way.
The first step is to contact our Connecticut personal injury law firm and schedule a free consultation. We can discuss your case and create a plan to move forward and help you recover the full compensation you are entitled to.
We have years of experience representing accident victims like you at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers. Let us guide you through this challenging process.
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